Dr. Roman Kenk discovered this species of amphipod in 1967, which is how it got its name. This crustacean is only found in five sites in Washington, DC and Montgomery County, MD. Three of the Rock Creek Sites in the District of Columbia are in Rock Creek Park, which is managed by the National Park Service. It is amazing that they have survived in such a heavily developed area, and their presence in the five sites indicates good water quality. Because of the limited sites of the Kenk's Amphipod's habitat, this tiny animal is extremely vulnerable and the main threats to this minute crustacean are changes in water quality and quantity.

>>more